Job Discussion Forums

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

Several years ago I interviewed with a lady who ran a quasi-dispatch operation (Her language school plus dispatch to one other local junior high school). The contract "negotiations" remind me of what others have posted.

Her: "Here, sign this contract."

Me: "May I read it first?"

Her: "Well ..."

Me: "OK, I'll take it home and look it over."

Her: (Mad)

Me: (The next day) "I can't sign this, there are too many errors."

Her: (Mad) "Like what?"

Me: "Well, first, housing. The contract says I have to pay you Y 50,000 per month for housing. I told you I already have my own place. Second, the length of employment. This says I will work for a year and give one month termination notice. As I already told you, I'd only be staying for three months. Etc ..."

Her: "Just sign it anyway. We'll work out the details later."

Me: "You're funny."

einsenundnullen · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 76

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:52 am Post subject:

I've finally received two copies of the contract from Company A. Does it strike you guys as odd though that neither single-stapled copy has been signed or dated by them (by their Head of HR)? I was also puzzled to see that unemployment insurance is still listed as a deduction that they will make, even though I was verbally assured (when I queried the clause before, in the sample contract) that it would not be (that is, they didn't feel there was a need to tell me how much it would run to as 'they will be paying it'...and also didn't seem to feel the need to alter the contract accordingly...but hey, who keeps track of silly little conversations or emails, right? Evil or Very Mad

).

I'm supposed to meet with the BOE people on Friday, along with the Head of HR, so I could get the signature in the bag at least. Rolling Eyes

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

Odd, yes.

But from a dispatch company, hardly surprising.

I wouldn't sign the contract until you have checked it out further. Is it written in Japanese or English? Definitely have someone read over the Japanese section if there is one as that will be the section that is legally-binding.

I certainly wouldn't sign a contract that hasn't been countersigned by the company or dated.

Don't sign anything that keeps you in the dark about how much they will deduct from your salary either.

Also, you have to ask yourself if it is worth signing for a company (an unscrupulous dispatch company, no less) that has already lied to you.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:28 am Post subject:

The contract is entirely in English (and actually a model of clarity compared to some I've read - no doubt it was written by a native speaker).

I've emailed the Head of HR asking if she can bring copies of a slightly altered contract (if appropriate/necessary) to the BOE meeting (where we can easily countersign in each other's presence). In the meantime, anybody know how much unemployment insurance ('rodo hoken') is per month (if it is deducted monthly), and who usually pays it etc. Thanks.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Fluffy,

DSon't feel bad, some of the unis are the same (and some of them use dispatch companies and langauge eikaiwas for adult classes Rolling Eyes

), I have started several university jobs where I received the contract after I started Confused

(though of course the general terms, schedule, etc. were already communicated to me before I decided to teach there) Wink

!

Never been a problem, just one of the facts of life, organization doesn't come easy in Japan!

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

What's the name of the company?

Most "dispatch companies" don't even have dispatch licences and you can't dispatch teachers or any other workers for that matter without a licence.

http://nambufwc.org/issues/dispatch/

wangtesol · Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 280

You can also check the Ministry of Edcuation's advisement (in Japanese) against using illegal gyomu itaku (outsourcing) contracts with dispatch outfits. Some of these outfits that call themselves dispatch companies don't even have dispatch licenses though. The advisement says that using illegal dispatch violates School Education Law since the company is then in charge of the ALT, not the principal. And the principal must be in charge of all staff, including the ALT.

http://alt.150m.com

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435